The Haruna and Ikaho area of Gunma Prefecture links Ikaho Onsen and Mizusawa in Shibukawa with Lake Haruna and Haruna Shrine in Takasaki along Prefectural Route 33, the Shibukawa–Matsuida Line. Ikaho Onsen is about 10 km from Shibukawa-Ikaho IC on the Kan-etsu Expressway. From there the road climbs Mt Haruna to Lake Haruna, at an elevation of 1,100 m.
This guide follows a day from Ikaho to Lake Haruna and Haruna Shrine and explains how to visit during the autumn illuminations. Roads and places to stop are listed below.
Map of Haruna and Ikaho
- Views and nature
- Roadside stations
- 1Michi-no-Eki Yoshioka Onsen
- 2Mizusawa Kannon
- 3Ikaho Ishidan-gai
- 4Kajika Bridge
- 5Mt. Haruna Ropeway
- 6Haruna Shrine
- 7Lake Haruna
- 8Ikaho Ropeway
Line: 1 → 2 → 3 → 4 → Route 33 → 5 → Tenjin Pass → 6
The map could not be loaded. Use the junction-by-junction directions below.
The line follows the route under "First visit: one day from Ikaho Onsen to Lake Haruna and Haruna Shrine" below. Numbers mark the stops: green for scenery and nature, blue for roadside stations. Tap a marker to see its name.
Recommended drives
First visit: one day from Ikaho Onsen to Lake Haruna and Haruna Shrine
Start at Michi-no-Eki Yoshioka Onsen, a roadside station, stop at Mizusawa Kannon, then walk Ikaho Onsen's stone steps and visit Kajika Bridge. Climb Mt Haruna on Prefectural Route 33 to Lake Haruna and Harunasan Ropeway, then cross Tenjin Pass to Haruna Shrine.
The route is about 32 km, with around 50 minutes of driving. Distance and time are calculated from map data and exclude traffic. The short driving time leaves room for hot springs, walks by the lake and the shrine approach.
Haruna Shrine is at least a 15-minute walk from the car park to the amulet office, with about 700 m of uphill approach. From October to March the gate closes at 17:00, so plan to arrive by about 16:00.
Autumn colours: Kajika Bridge at night
Kajika Bridge's autumn illuminations are scheduled from 27 October to 15 November, 16:30–22:00. The pond at the former Hawaiian Kingdom Minister's Villa and the square below the stone steps are also lit, from 31 October.
The Kajika Bridge car park has only about 17 spaces, and on some days the wait is about two hours. Either park at Monogiki car park or the Tokutomi Roka Memorial Literature Museum (both ¥300 for two hours) and walk, or take the free shuttle bus from below the stone steps. Remaining shuttle days are 3, 7, 8, 14 and 15 November. Buses run as needed from 15:00; the last leaves the stone steps at 20:00 and Kajika Bridge at 20:30.
Ikaho Ropeway to Miharashi Station
Ikaho Ropeway (¥830 return) climbs to Miharashi Station, at 955 m, in four minutes. Use Monogiki car park next door. It does not run on 25 November.
Time guide for a day starting at Haruna Shrine from Takasaki IC
This route visits Haruna Shrine first from Takasaki IC, crosses Tenjin Pass to Lake Haruna, descends Route 33 to Ikaho Onsen and leaves at Shibukawa-Ikaho IC. Going to the shrine in the morning, Lake Haruna at midday and Ikaho in the afternoon fits the shrine's closing time and the day-use bath hours.
| Section or stop | Distance and time | Time at stop |
|---|---|---|
| Takasaki IC → Haruna Shrine | About 30 km, about 60 minutes | — |
| Haruna Shrine | — | 60–90 minutes |
| Haruna Shrine → Tenjin Pass → Lake Haruna (Harunasan Ropeway station) | About 5 km, about 10 minutes | — |
| Lake Haruna and Harunasan Ropeway | — | 60–90 minutes, including lunch |
| Lake Haruna → Kajika Bridge | About 11 km, about 12 minutes | — |
| Kajika Bridge and Ikaho Open-Air Bath | — | 30–60 minutes |
| Kajika Bridge → stone-steps municipal car park | About 1 km | — |
| Stone steps and Ishidan-no-Yu | — | 60–120 minutes |
| Stone steps → Shibukawa-Ikaho IC | About 11 km, about 20 minutes | — |
The whole route is about 59 km, with about 1 hour 40 minutes of driving. With stops it takes 5–7 hours. Distances are calculated from map data and exclude traffic and breaks. Shibukawa-Ikaho IC to Takasaki IC is about 17 km on the Kan-etsu Expressway.
When rain is forecast, Route 33 from Lake Haruna to Haruna Shrine can close. Leave the shrine for another day and visit only Lake Haruna and Ikaho, or drive out and back to the shrine from the Takasaki side.
Fog is common at Lake Haruna. When visibility is poor, use your lights and leave a longer gap. When cloud hides Mt Haruna-Fuji, skip the ropeway and spend the time at Ikaho's day-use baths and stone steps.
Roads you can drive
| Road | What to expect | Length and cost | Hours and restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kan-etsu Expressway | From Shibukawa-Ikaho IC, Komayose Smart IC, Maebashi IC and Takasaki IC | Tolled | About 1 hour from Nerima IC to Shibukawa-Ikaho IC |
| Route 33 (Shibukawa-Ikaho IC–Ikaho) | Shibukawa-Ikaho IC to Ikaho Onsen | About 10 km; free | — |
| Route 33 (Ikaho–Lake Haruna) | Ikaho Onsen up Mt Haruna to Lake Haruna | Free | Winter tyres needed in winter |
| Route 33 (Lake Haruna–Haruna Shrine) | Lake Haruna over Tenjin Pass to Haruna Shrine | Free | Can close in heavy rain (18–19 July in 2026) |
| Prefectural Takasaki–Haruna–Agatsuma Line | Lakeside of Lake Haruna towards Higashiagatsuma | Free | — |
| Roads from the Takasaki side | Takasaki IC and Maebashi IC to Haruna Shrine and Lake Haruna | Free | About 60 minutes from Takasaki IC to Lake Haruna and Haruna Shrine |
Route 33 and the Takasaki–Haruna–Agatsuma Line are not on the winter-closure list. Snow is possible at higher elevations from October, however, and the prefecture advises winter tyres and carrying chains.
Places to stop
Views and nature
Numbers match the map.
| No. | Place | Parking | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Mizusawa Kannon | 400 ordinary cars, 30 large vehicles; free | Free to visit. The main image is on view through 30 November |
| 3 | Ikaho Onsen stone steps | Municipal car parks. Koen-Kita 27 spaces, Koen-Nishi 10, Koen-nai 9 and Yachiyo-bashi 39: 24 hours, ¥500 for two hours. Tokutomi Roka Memorial Literature Museum 70 and Monogiki 62: ¥300 for two hours. All ¥100 per extra hour. Koen-Kita, Koen-Nishi, Koen-nai and Yachiyo-bashi assume stays of 2–3 hours. Literature museum: 08:30–18:00 April–November, until 17:30 December–March | 365 steps, with Ikaho Shrine at the top. Inns offer free foot baths along the way, and the Kindayu foot bath is available 24 hours. Ishidan-no-Yu day-use bath: adults ¥800, 10:00–20:00 (last entry 19:30), closed second and fourth Tuesdays (the next day if a holiday) |
| 4 | Kajika Bridge | About 17 spaces, free; medium and large vehicles cannot enter | Near the hot-spring source. Autumn colours late October to mid-November. Ikaho Open-Air Bath is next door (adults ¥600, no washing area; April–September 09:00–18:00, October–March 10:00–18:00, last entry 17:30; closed first and third Thursdays, open on holidays and daily in August). The only drinking fountain for spring water in Ikaho is on the way |
| 5 | Harunasan Ropeway (Lake Haruna) | 37 ordinary cars, 8 large vehicles; free | ¥1,200 return (¥650 one way). April–November 09:00–17:00 (last ride up 16:30), December–March 09:00–16:00 (last ride up 15:30). Runs every 15 minutes, 2 minutes 50 seconds one way; stops for strong wind, lightning or snow. The summit is Mt Haruna-Fuji (1,391 m). Lake Haruna has more than 500 free parking spaces in total around its shore, and you can walk the lakeside course in Haruna Prefectural Park (about 20 minutes) |
| 6 | Haruna Shrine | Municipal car parks in the Nakamachi area in front of the gate | Gate opens 07:00 and closes 18:00 April–September, 17:00 October–March (from October it gets dark underfoot by 16:30). Amulet office 08:45–16:00. About 700 m of uphill approach. Soba in front of the gate is a local speciality |
| — | Ikaho Ropeway | Monogiki car park next door, 62 spaces (¥300 for two hours) | ¥830 return. Four minutes to Miharashi Station |
Roadside stations
| No. | Roadside station | Parking | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michi-no-Eki Yoshioka Onsen | 159 ordinary cars, 8 large vehicles | About 8 minutes from Shibukawa-Ikaho IC. Hot spring 10:00–21:00. EV charging available |
Best seasons and crowds
On 15 October, Lake Haruna's autumn colours were just beginning. The usual peak is late October to early November, but in 2026 the season was running about a week late.
| Season | Highlights and cautions |
|---|---|
| May | On the day of the Mt Haruna Hill Climb in Takasaki (10 May in 2026), the prefectural road on the course is closed in both directions. In 2026 morning visits to Haruna Shrine were not possible. At Lake Haruna, temperatures fall to around 5°C in cloud or rain |
| Mid-July to mid-August | Yusuge daylilies at Lake Haruna, which flower in the evening |
| Late October to mid-November | Autumn colours at Lake Haruna and Kajika Bridge. Kajika Bridge illuminations are scheduled from 27 October to 15 November |
| Winter | The Lake Haruna Illumination Festival decorates the lakeshore with about 500,000 lights. Ice fishing for smelt on Lake Haruna was cancelled in both 2025 and 2026 because the lake did not freeze over. Roads can be icy |
Busy places and times
- The Kajika Bridge car park is very busy every autumn-colour season, with waits of about two hours on some days.
- Haruna Shrine is very busy from 1 to 15 January, with queues even to enter the car park.
- On 17 October, an animal thought to be a bear was seen near Lake Haruna. If you see one, keep away and call the police or Takasaki City's emergency bear-sighting line.
Roads and restrictions checked on 2 November 2026
- Ishidan-no-Yu closes on 10 and 24 November.
- Ikaho Ropeway does not run on 25 November or 9 December.
- Michi-no-Eki Yoshioka Onsen closes on 11 November (the hot spring also closes on 12 November).
Getting there and fuel
| Starting point | Approximate drive |
|---|---|
| Shibukawa-Ikaho IC, Kan-etsu Expressway | Ikaho Onsen about 20 minutes (7 km); Mizusawa Kannon about 20 minutes; Michi-no-Eki Yoshioka Onsen about 8 minutes |
| Takasaki IC, Kan-etsu Expressway | Lake Haruna and Haruna Shrine about 60 minutes |
| Nerima IC, Kan-etsu Expressway | Shibukawa-Ikaho IC about 1 hour |
Refuel in Shibukawa or Takasaki before heading into the mountains. EVs can charge at Michi-no-Eki Yoshioka Onsen.
On downhill stretches, do not rely only on the foot brake; use a low gear and engine braking. Enjoy the view after parking, and do not stop on bends or the road shoulder.
If you don't have a car
Use the Gunma rental-car listings to find a pickup location. Before booking, check the driving-permit requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Where should I drive with one day in Haruna and Ikaho?
Visit Mizusawa Kannon, Ikaho Onsen's stone steps and Kajika Bridge, then climb Route 33 to Lake Haruna and continue to Haruna Shrine. The route is about 32 km, with about 50 minutes of driving, leaving time for hot springs and walks.
When are the Kajika Bridge illuminations?
In 2026, from 27 October to 15 November, 16:30–22:00, scheduled. The car park gets busy, so the free shuttle bus from below the stone steps is the easier choice on its operating days at weekends and on the holiday.
Can I reach Lake Haruna in winter?
Route 33 is not on the winter-closure list, but snow is possible from October and you need winter tyres.
How far is the walk from the Haruna Shrine car park to the main hall?
It is at least a 15-minute walk from the car park to the amulet office, with about 700 m of uphill approach.
Can I buy fuel in Ikaho?
Refuel in Shibukawa or Takasaki before you climb.
Nearby areas and guides
Sources & verification
Last verified: 2026-11-02
- Shibukawa City (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Takasaki City (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Gunma Prefecture (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Ikaho Onsen Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Haruna Shrine (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Takasaki City (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Harunasan Ropeway (operator) (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-02
- Gunma Prefecture (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Shibukawa City (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-02
- Mizusawa Kannon (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-02
- Michi-no-Eki Yoshioka Onsen (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- Kanto Michi-no-Eki Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- Haruna Shrine (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Gunma Prefecture road restriction information (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-02
- Haruna Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Haruna Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Haruna Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Shibukawa City (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-02
- Ikaho Onsen Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Shibukawa City (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-02
- Haruna Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Michi-no-Eki Yoshioka Onsen (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-02
- NEXCO East Japan (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Haruna Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-11-02
- Haruna Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Shibukawa City (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (sunrise and sunset) (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (sunrise and sunset) (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- NEXCO East Japan (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Gunma Prefecture road restriction information (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Gunma Prefecture road restriction information (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Gunma Prefecture road restriction information (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Mt Haruna Hill Climb (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Haruna Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Takasaki Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Shibukawa City (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Shibukawa City (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-27
- Shibukawa City (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Ikaho Onsen Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Shibukawa City (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Ikaho Onsen Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Shibukawa City (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Shibukawa City (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Mizusawa Kannon (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Takasaki Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Haruna Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Takasaki Tourism Association (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Haruna Shrine (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Haruna Shrine (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Haruna Shrine (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- Michi-no-Eki Yoshioka Onsen (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-26
- OpenStreetMap (map positions and route; © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL; route calculated with OSRM) · 2026-10-26
- Haruna Shrine (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-25
- Haruna Shrine (official page, in Japanese) · 2026-10-25
